New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-03

| WHAT HAVE 1OU ~ SAI, 6O' EhNO"'
Governor Hill devoted part of his Brooklyn
speech TO arguing that the "supremc issue
In the Republican canvass is to keep control OF
the Senate, so as to protect the Emigration ana
Quarantine "Rings" Does the Governor
really want to open this subject If So we
propose to get it open little wider than he
may like.
On the 10Th of August last Mr.. Louis f. Payn
printed in The TRIBUNE letter making
certain specific and grave charges against 10Y
ernor Hill, in connection with this very matter
So far the Governor has made no answer TO
them. Isn't two months and half rather a
long time for public officer TO be silent
under such accusations Ile cannot pretend
to disdain Mr. payn as wicked politician"
Mr. Pawn stands at least as high, as a citizen
and politician, us Governor Ill., ana the
Governor may as well face tnat fact
MIR. Payn charged:
/ That Mr.. Hill, soon after his election as
Governor, sought an interview with prom
incnt Republican in order to arrange Tor re-
distribution of State patronage; that various
further interviews were had, in which Judge
Muller the Governors former law-partncr,
acted as his representative. The negotiation
failed for reasons which, Mr.. Payn said "a
court Of impeachment could easily ascertain.
II. That negotiations were then attempted
with other Republicans, notably with prom
inent Republican from Greene County that
the scheme fell through because the Republican
Senators could not be persuaded INTO It,
Ill. That another attempt was made last
winter with prominent Republican Of Wash
incton County mot Mr.. Baker, as the Gov
crnOr's spokesman among kcpubhcins. ms
too, was an ignominious failure. The names
and dates in all these cases Mr.. Payn says lac
can give.
w. That during the legislative session OF
1885 Health Officer Smith was given the alter
native under direct instructions from Governor
Hill, of contributing nothing 10 the Republican
ca,npaign fund or of being removed from his
office as soon as " deal" could be arranged Tor
that purpose
V. That Governor Hill sent an accredited
messenger to Quarantine Commissioner iiAtt
lust before the close Of the last session Of the
LEGISLATURE. with n proposition that the Quar-
antinc officials, constituting the quarantine
Ring which the Governor IS now IN such
virtuOus state Of mind about should be LETT
In office during the Governors lncnmbcncy
provided the Republican Senate would confirm
an Emigration Commissioner Of his choosing
Tho inUmation was given that II tins olIcr
were rejected, there would be "war to The
knife" Nevertheless, the offer was prompt!
rejected
Now, IL will be admitted, even by persons
who do not like Mr.. Payn, that be is man OF
Intelligence and responsibility. He Is citizen
is Of age. and is generally suspected Of knowing
what he is talking about He is not a CON
tributor to the newspaper wastc-baSkct. W ben
he saws, over his signature, that he make,
certain charges. and that he has the proof ready
to produce before a court Of Impeachment. It
seems 10 us that situation is created when
the Governor cannot afford to ignore.
These two wcll-known citizens should nave
a chance to fight their controversy out. ana We
have "A suggestion to make on that point. u
is true that the most appropriate method OIL
irving the issue would be by court OF lmpcaoh-
mcnt That was the view taken by Governor
! Hill himself, when Mr. Flatt offered to resign
as Quarantine Commissioner # Colonel Grant
was to be appointed in his place, and the HoT-
crnor affected to regard the proposition rs one
! to commit an improbable offence But I'M
pcachmcnt is slow and costly process ana
one to which Legislatures are reluctant to re-
sort. The Governor has swift remedy IN his
own hands. Let him sue Mr.. Payn for libel.
Mr.. Payn has charged him with improbable
offences, and says he can prove them. This Is
an issue which ought to be met. Come, Coy
crnor, face your ASSISTANTS like man. We
want to see the Governor Of Ncw-lork vlndj-
cate himself against such accusations.